Albu Andrei Cristian, Tudose Răzvan Costin, Vrapciu Alexandra Diana, Rusu Mugurel Constantin
Division of Anatomy, Department 1, Faculty of Dentistry, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania.
Division of Anatomy, Department 1, Faculty of Dentistry, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest 050474, Romania.
Ann Anat. 2025 Apr;259:152387. doi: 10.1016/j.aanat.2025.152387. Epub 2025 Jan 28.
The lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) is crucial for masticatory function but exhibits significant anatomical variability that challenges traditional anatomical views. Advanced imaging techniques have revealed these variations, necessitating a reevaluation of the LPM's structure.
To categorize variations in the number of LPM heads and their relationship with the maxillary artery, aiming to improve the understanding of orofacial anatomy and move beyond simplified anatomical models.
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) coronal sections of the LPMs were examined to identify five muscle types, ranging from the typical two-headed configuration to variants with extra or single large heads. Additionally, computed tomography angiograms (CTAs) were analyzed to classify the maxillary artery's relation to the LPM into three patterns: superficial, deep, or coursing through the LPM.
A total of 271 CBCT scans were bilaterally assessed (542 sides). Variations in the number of LPM heads were observed in 36.9 % of cases. Similarly, 170 CTAs (340 sides) were analyzed. Among these, deviations in the typical superficial path of the maxillary artery were observed in 36.76 % of cases. Notably, the artery either passed deep to the LPM or, in rare instances (1.47 %), traversed through the LPM.
The study challenges conventional anatomical dogmas by highlighting significant variability in LPM anatomy and its association with the maxillary artery. These findings highlight the necessity of adopting imaging-driven, personalized anatomical insights to improve clinical decision-making and outcomes, advocating for a paradigm shift in understanding human anatomy.
翼外肌对咀嚼功能至关重要，但存在显著的解剖变异，这对传统解剖观点提出了挑战。先进的成像技术揭示了这些变异，因此有必要重新评估翼外肌的结构。
对翼外肌头的数量变异及其与上颌动脉的关系进行分类，旨在加深对口面部解剖结构的理解，并超越简化的解剖模型。
检查翼外肌的锥形束计算机断层扫描（CBCT）冠状切片，以识别五种肌肉类型，从典型的双头结构到具有额外或单个大头的变体。此外，分析计算机断层血管造影（CTA），将上颌动脉与翼外肌的关系分为三种模式：浅表、深部或穿过翼外肌。
共对271例CBCT扫描进行了双侧评估（542侧）。在36.9%的病例中观察到翼外肌头数量的变异。同样，分析了170例CTA（340侧）。其中，在36.76%的病例中观察到上颌动脉典型浅表走行的偏差。值得注意的是，动脉要么在翼外肌深部通过，要么在罕见情况下（1.47%）穿过翼外肌。
该研究通过强调翼外肌解剖结构及其与上颌动脉关联的显著变异性，对传统解剖学教条提出了挑战。这些发现凸显了采用成像驱动的个性化解剖学见解以改善临床决策和治疗结果的必要性，倡导在理解人体解剖学方面进行范式转变。
